Do not fear; for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1, 3.

In this chapter, 2 Kings 15, we go through 7 kings of Israel and Judah. Some are truly awful. Assyria invades Israel the first of 3 invasions. Hoshea is the last king of Israel and like so many others, he gained the throne through assassination.

This morning as I was trying to pray I kept feeling a disconnect. I get frustrated when I feel like my prayers get no further than a beginning thought not fully expressed. I keep getting in the way! When I ask for help in understanding, am I placating God in a bid to get into His good graces? Am I unworthy because I sure feel that way when my prayers get stuck. So I sat still, as still as I am able to get before I keep talking to God. But in that quiet space, I saw me lying there. Child me came out of me lying there and came to sit beside me and hold my hand as we watched me. Wow. Then adolescent me came to sit with us; then young adult; tired new mother; each stage of my life with me asking to draw near to God finally sitting with us. And God told me not to disparage what He loves.

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Living in the love of God’s love for us means realizing we are all of us in the same boat. We live in a broken world…all of us no matter how wonderful our lives may be.

One of the kings of Judah, Amaziah, did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and yet, he had leprosy. v. 1-7. God doesn’t show favoritism. Can we appreciate that truth? People who love God are not immune to suffering. People who live when rulers do evil are not immune to suffering. When we do evil, we are not immune to suffering that we cause. A broken world. And yet…God loves us and is working for our good in Him. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8.

As we take refuge in Him who loves us we begin a walk that takes time. How could it not? Be patient. He is. He knows you…all of you…and He loves you. You are His dearly loved. Your Savior and mine. Thank You, Lord, for so great a love.